Seven Days: Vermont's Independent Voice

Feat First

In a roundup of acrobatic stunts, Time Out Chicago awarded Cirque Shanghai the top “OMG” rating: six out of six big-top tents. No wonder. Mixed in with old-school circus antics — daredevil headstands, plate spinning and hoop diving, for starters — are jaw-dropping feats derived from ancient Chinese performing arts. In the troupe’s latest show, Bai Xi (meaning “100 amazing acts”), contortionists, trapeze artists and aerialists share acrobatic traditions dating back to the Han Dynasty. Expect pretzel-like nimbleness, a brightly costumed dragon dance and, perhaps, a ballet dancer performing en pointe atop another person’s head. OMG, indeed.